Tech, talent, and teaching: how TBC Is redefining corporate responsibility in Georgia
Can a financial institution be more than a lender? In Georgia, where trust in big business is often fragile, TBC Bank is attempting to redefine what it means to be a responsible corporate citizen.
TBC is one of the largest financial institutions in Georgia. Founded in 1992, it is currently a leading bank serving both individuals and legal entities. TBC is also listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and maintains strong international partnerships.
“Business has two roles: one is to operate with quality and integrity, to make a profit and contribute to society through modern products, job creation, and more. The second is a social role. At TBC, we aim to implement projects that contribute to positive change in society,” says Head of Marketing and Strategic Projects at TBC Aleksandre Makashvili.
Education
Education has become a central pillar of TBC’s corporate social responsibility work, alongside its long-standing support for arts, business, sports, and culture. One standout initiative is the TBC Tech School, a fully funded program that gives high school students (grades 9–12) a chance to gain hands-on tech skills. With more than 1,000 graduates to date and a fifth cohort underway, the program reflects TBC’s broader goal to expand access to technological education for youth across Georgia.
“Our research showed that people see education as a top priority — something organizations like ours should support. Of course, education is a broad field, and even an organization of our size cannot cover everything. So, we decided to focus on this area. We prioritized making these courses accessible online so that young people anywhere in Georgia could learn from top lecturers,” says Makashvili.
Culture, business, and sports
TBC also actively supports Georgian culture through initiatives like the Saba Literary Award, one of the country’s most prestigious literary prizes. Established in 2003, Saba recognizes outstanding writers with both financial rewards and national recognition.
“The Saba Award was established by TBC and has been running continuously ever since. Every year, prizes are awarded in nine categories. The competition has become a valuable platform for both emerging and established writers,” adds Makashvili.
TBC also supports the promotion of Georgian art and literature. It has published books on the works of renowned Georgian artists such as Petre Otskheli, Davit Kakabadze, Vera Paghava, and Lado Aleksi-Meskhishvili.
“We organize exhibitions dedicated to Georgian artists — both well-known and lesser-known. We also publish books about their work, preserving our cultural heritage in physical form for future generations,” says Strategic Communications Leader at TBC Tamta Kupradze.
In support of entrepreneurship, TBC has organized the Business Award since 2015, creating opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and promoting innovative ideas and business visibility.
TBC is also committed to empowering women in technology. For four years, it partnered with USAID to present the Grace Hopper Award, honoring the accomplishments of women in the tech industry. In addition, TBC collaborates with international organizations such as UN Women and UNFPA to further promote gender equality in the sector.
Since 2015, despite some brief interruptions, TBC has been the main sponsor of Georgian rugby.
“Supporting and promoting rugby encourages more young people to get involved in sports. A company of our size should aim to drive positive change,” says Makashvili.
Philanthropy
TBC has a well-established tradition of philanthropy. “In 2022, immediately after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, TBC launched a charitable fund that raised nearly 2 million GEL,” says Kupradze. “The majority of the funds were donated to United24, the platform established by the Ukrainian government. Of the total, 250,000 GEL was contributed by TBC itself, while the remainder came from individuals and businesses.”
In 2023, following the Shovi tragedy, the company created another special fund, contributing 500,000 GEL, with an additional 275,000 GEL donated by citizens—bringing the total to 775,000 GEL.
The company’s philanthropic reach extends beyond emergency response. Through its Regions Project, launched last year, TBC aims to identify and meet the specific needs of communities outside the capital. The initiative supports cultural, sports, and business activities tailored to each region.
“Decentralization is very important, but it doesn’t get the attention it deserves in this country,” Kupradze explains. “Through the Regions Project, our team visits different areas to assess local needs—whether in culture, sports, business, or festivals. For example, sponsoring a horse race in Zugdidi, a wine festival, or a music event in Kakheti. These smaller initiatives, taken together, lead to meaningful change. One example is the new Eliso Film Festival, which we launched last year at the Nato Vachnadze House Museum.”
As Georgia continues to navigate social and economic transformation, the role of businesses in advancing inclusive development is growing. At the same time, public expectations for corporate accountability and community involvement are rising—encouraging companies like TBC to expand their contributions beyond core operations.